Tested Methods of Modern
Propaganda

by Helmut von Wilucki

The difficult election battle is behind all the parties. The
Reichstag election of 1932 was particularly difficult for the
NSDAP, since an enormous flood of lies from all the other parties,
including the DNVP[Conservative Party], was directed toward us. The events
of June even forced us in part into the defensive. That was naturally
difficult for us, since in all previous elections we were always
on the attack.

Since the KPD[Communists]did not particularly exert themselves in this campaign
and since the other parties made greater efforts, but not in the area
of propaganda, the main battle was between the NSDAP and the SPD [Socialists].
These two parties are the only ones that did anything new in the area
of propaganda. This article will discuss the propaganda methods that proved
effective in the last campaign in Gau Süd Hannover-Braunschweig.

In general, one can say that the SPD’s propaganda was very clever and
understood the psychology of the masses. They saw the significance of
the swastika symbol, and how it seized the feelings of people and did
not let them go. Therefore, they found a compelling symbol for the “Iron
Front,” the three arrows, and had the desired success with it. Along
with other clever methods of propaganda, the three arrows encouraged many
Social Democrats to new activity. Our counterpropaganda could not do much,
since the three arrows of “activity, discipline, and unity” aimed
not at the mind, but at the feelings of the Marxists. We did our best
to ridicule the “arrow” propaganda by connecting the three Sklarek
brothers [Jewish figures in a major Berlin financial scandal] to
the three arrows in the press, stickers, and “visiting cards.”
Our large red flag with three white arrows and the large inscription “Manufactured
by the Sklarek Brothers” won wide attention in heavily trafficked
areas.

The SPD’s “visiting card” propaganda worked only
because of its novelty. We replied to it with our intellectually
weightier visiting cards from the “Sklarek Brothers.”

The SPD’s weekly slogans during the election campaign, which
came in circular letters from the SPD’s headquarters, were
well thought out. For its supporters, the most effective slogan
was: “Iron Front against Hitler barons!”

Fortunately for us, we secured a copy of the circular letter enough in
advance to make some preparations. The SPD planned to use a slogan affirming
the “welfare state” in the second week of July. We in Gau
Süd Hannover-Braunschweig cleverly used the slogan in mass meetings
during the first week, making it impossible for them to use it.

The SPD had planned to use the slogan: “For the welfare
state of millions against the welfare state of the millionaires.”
We used the slogan “Against the welfare state of the bigwigs
and profiteers, for work and food for millions.” This reduced
the effectiveness of their slogan and campaign.

The SPD used daily newspapers for propaganda, apparently following
our example during past campaigns. We had good success by regularly
delivering our papers to citizens. Their newspaper the Volksville used the method with which the SPD has always had the most success,
namely the political lie. It used newspapers and leaflets to
spread the lie about the “Hitler Emergency Decrees”
of the Papen government. This seems to have had its intended
success on a large number of retirees and relief recipients who
were not capable of independent thinking.

Our most effective propaganda method was undoubtedly the Hitler
mass meeting. The fact that the Führer placed all his energy
in the service of propaganda, and the way in which he did it,
had an effect on the masses of the voters. It was an event not
only in our press, but also to some degree in other newspapers
as well. As a result, not only those citizens who participated
in the meetings, but everyone else as well was influenced by
the spell of the Führer’s mass meetings.

We had prepared by years of smaller meetings. That made the
mass meetings in the grand style effective during the July campaign,
particularly when they were supported by large marches. The S.
A. march was always the movement’s best method of propaganda.
The Papen government’s ban on demonstrations was intended to
remove our advantage in this regard over other parties. We had
already held the first small marches and had completed all preparations
for the planned 24 July march.

We reduced our leaflet propaganda in favor of newspaper propaganda in
Gau Süd Hannover-Braunschweig. We delivered an election
newspaper to every house in every village, adjusting it to the audience.
One version was directed to the rural population, another to industrial
districts. During the last ten days of the campaign, we delivered our
Gau newspaper, the Niedersächische Tageszeitung to every household in the cities and to the easily reached villages. That
allowed us to refute the opponent’s lies each day, and remind readers
of our goals and previous accomplishments. Distributing the newspaper
to the entire Gau was possible because we had a previously prepared
plan that used the newspaper’s existing distribution system.

Another part of newspaper propaganda is supplying the so-called “neutral”
press with news and material supporting our views. We were able to provide
numerous newspapers in the province with our Gau Süd Hannover-Braunschweig
press service. Provincial papers have a difficult time of it. The editors
are beginning to see that it is time to adjust to the electoral masses
of the largest party. Many gladly accept our material, particularly since
they can receive it without cost and ready for printing. Our opponents
have always provided “factual” information to so-called “neutral”
newspapers as a way of influencing the voters. It is obvious that we too
have to use this method of propaganda.

Following the example of one local group, we used “personal”
letters throughout the Gau. Model letters were provided to local
groups. The letters were then reproduced either by hand or by machine,
with personal address. Two days before the election, they were delivered
to all voters, not only our supporters. There were different letters for
people we knew to be Marxists, farmers, retirees, women, etc. Determining
success is naturally possible only in a few cases. But many stories testify
that such letters achieved their goal.

We made increased use in this campaign of flags and banners. Election
banners in our party’s colors, seen daily by passers-by, surely had an
impact. Electric lighting and loud speaker music ensured that they could
also be seen at night.

It is particularly effective if Hitler’s flags can dominate the streets
during an election. Unfortunately, one has to work hard to persuade supporters
to do this. The only place we succeeded in getting really well-flagged
streets was in Hannover, and that took constant effort. A corresponding
number of the opponent’s “arrow” flags made their appearance
too, producing a kind of “election psychology” even in those
who were otherwise inattentive. We also distributed thousands of small
flags with a swastika and the slogan “Vote for List 2”, with
which children and adults made heavy use in the days before the election[each party had a numbered place on the ballot].

We used sound films for the first time in this election campaign.
Despite limited time, we succeeded in arranging about 200 performances
in 70 places. Sometimes we were able to have our film shown during
regular movie shows. Usually, we arranged special events in conjunction
with the film. The films were everywhere received with interest
and enthusiasm. The films with the Führer and party comrades
Dr. Goebbels, Straßer and Göring were particularly
successful.

25,000 fellow citizens saw an outdoor showing of “The Führer
Speaks” and “German Arms  German Honor.” We used
a 10 by 13 meter screen. We can already tell that sound films are a valuable
addition to our propaganda activity, particularly when lower rental costs
will give local groups the chance to make a small profit.

Loudspeaker wagons are particularly during campaigns, since they allow
us to overcome Marxist efforts to keep people away from our meetings,
as well as the indifference of those who do not attend. They cannot ignore
a 15-20 watt loudspeaker in the streets of a small town or village, even
if they want to. We began each time with march music to set the proper
atmosphere for the recorded speech by a well-known party member that followed.
We closed with a record of a group singing the Horst Wessel Song. Local
group leaders repeatedly told us that this propaganda is particularly
suited for areas in which meetings are not successful.

The usual forms of propaganda must naturally be continued
after the campaign to firm up the voters we have won and win
new supporters. Sound films will have a major role from now on.
We also need to provide good German theater and musical events,
with the works of German artists. We must make it possible for
every citizen to attend such an event monthly for a low price.
That is one further step to break the Jewish domination of
the arts and to win back the German people’s soul.